F^2 



[From the; American Anthropologist for January, 1893.] 



GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE OF THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA. 

A Report. 

In considering a system of nomenclature it is essential to remember 
that a name may be a description or a mere label. Originally all or 
nearly all nouns were descriptive, conveying in concise form some 
idea of the distinguishing peculiarity of the thing named, so that 
one who had never seen the object could still know something of its 
nature from hearing its name. In primitive languages nouns still 
retain tin's characteristic, and can usually be resolved by analysis 
into their adjective and verbal elements. This is true in a less 
degree of the early Greek and Latin, but age has sapped the 
blood of our words until they have largely become mere arbitrary 
symbols. The change has come alike upon common nouns, zoologic 
and botanic names, and personal and geographic names. Without 
going into a detailed argument, we may assume that where individu- 
ality exists it may be expressed in the name, but where all things are 
alike a mere label is sufficient. The streets and alleys c f a city, 
with their straight lines, level pavements, and rows of brick walls, 
are practically alike, but in the country every hill and every running 
brook has its own separate individuality. 

Street and Alley Names. 

With regard to names for streets and other city thoroughfares 
there is an evident advantage in having the name indicate the rela- 
tive position, and the most obvious method of accomplishing this 
is by means of a system of nomenclature which is numeric or alpha- 
betic or both. The numbers may run on indefinitely, but the 
alphabet has a limit, so that if an alphabetic system be adopted it is 
necessary to start a new series when the streets go beyond twenty-six. 

Washington, as originally laid out, consists of four sections, with 
the Capitol in the center. North and South Capitol streets form 
the dividing line between the eastern and western portions, while 
East Capitol street and a theoretic West Capitol street running 
through the Mall separate the northern and southern portions. The 



. fa* 



30 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. V 1 - 

four sections, which are designated respectively as northwest, north- 
east, southeast, and southwest, are very unequal in extent. The 
original District was a tract of ten miles square on both sides of the 
Potomac, taken partly from Maryland and partly from Virginia. 
The Virginia portion, extending along the river from the Chain 
bridge to Alexandria, was afterward retroceded, thus cutting off 
about one-fourth this area. As originally planned, the site of the 
Washington monument was the center of the District, whereas by 
this change it is now on its southwestern limit, the Potomac river. 
The streets within the city are laid out at right angles, crossed by 
avenues running diagonally ; and, by a recent ruling of Congress, as 
the city grows these streets must be extended upon the same lines, 
wherever possible, to the limits of the District. Therefore, what- 
ever system of street nomenclature is adopted within the city must 
be one that can be adapted without change to the requirements of 
its future growth as here indicated. Briefly stated, it is possible for 
the future city of Washington, according to the present delimita- 
tions of the District, to extend from six to seven miles north, east, 
and west from the Capitol. The southwest is cut off by the river 
and can expand no farther, while the southeast, including Anacostia, 
is capable of a limited expansion toward the south. 

Under the present system the streets are numbered east and west 
..win the Capitol and lettered north and south from the same start- 
ing point, while the diagonal avenues are named from states of the 
Union. Thus we have two series of numbered streets — First street 
east and First street west, etc., and two series of lettered streets — 
A street north and A street south, etc. It is necessary always to 
specify the section as well as the street — as 215 D street northwest — 
which is a disadvantage, but is rendered necessary by the quadruple 
plan of the city. On the whole, the system is simple and con- 
venient, besides giving opportunity for future growth, and the 
problem now before the District Commissioners is how to extend it 
to the new streets to be laid out beyond the present city limits. 

The numbered streets run out to Twenty-third east and to Thirty- 
seventh west (in Georgetown), and as future parallel streets can be 
numbered onward consecutively we may consider the numbered 
streets provided for. In this series, however, we find a few short 
streets, running each only two or three squares and called by frac- 
tional names to indicate their relative position, as Four-and-a-half 
street, Thirteen-and-a-half street. 



.. : 



Jan. 1S93.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 31 

The system of naming the diagonal avenues after States of the 
Union is entirely satisfactory, and as there are a sufficient number 
of States to furnish names for all future avenues we may also dismiss 
the avenue question. As the avenues intersect at all angles, there 
can be no rule by which the name shall indicate the position. It 
might be better if Florida avenue were divided at Seventh street, 
making two avenues under different names instead of one as at 
present, at the same time straightening the western portion as far as 
practicable toward Seventh street at one end and Massachusetts 
avenue extended at the other, so that this portion might be approx- 
imately parallel with New York and Rhode Island avenues, while 
the eastern portion would be approximately parallel with Massa- 
chusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia avenues. 

We come now to the most difficult problem in street nomen- 
clature — the naming of the present (lettered) streets running east 
and west and of future streets to be laid out parallel with them. 
Before going into this matter let us define the various classes of 
streets as recognized or contemplated by the Commissioners. 

In the first place, the broad thoroughfares running diagonally 
through the city are called avenues. Next, the thoroughfares cross- 
ing each other at regular intervals in either direction are called 
streets. Then we have shorter streets, running perhaps for a square 
or two, midway between the longer streets of the regular series. 
Some of these are at present called streets, as " Corcoran street ; " 
others are known as places, as "Grant place." It is proposed by 
the District Commissioners to distinguish all these as places, giving 
to them at the same time such names as will indicate their position 
with relation to the regular lettered series. The present " Grant 
place" is a good illustration of the proposed method. The title 
place indicates that it is a short street intermediate between two of 
the regular series, while the name Grant, beginning with G, shows 
that it is next to G street. The short streets in the numbered series 
would take fractional names, as Four-and-a-half street, Thirteen-and- 
a-half street, or might better be called " places," to agree with the 
nomenclature of the short streets in the lettered series, and could be 
designated by numbers corresponding with those of the streets next 
following — e. g., Fifth place, Fourteenth place, etc. We have still 
a fourth class of inhabited city thoroughfares, viz., alleys, which by 
the growth of population have come to be tenanted by families of the 
poorer class and are now practically smaller streets. Many of them 



32 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

are now well paved and built up with good houses. It is proposed to 
designate these as courts, reserving the name alley for the smaller 
thoroughfares, which are used as passages but not for residences. 
In the renaming, most of these courts will become places, so that 
the choice of names for the few remaining will be a simple matter. 
It should be noted that when two or more places are on the same 
line, even though the continuity is broken by intervening solid 
squares, they will be called by the same name. Within the present 
city limits the initial letter of a " place" would naturally be the 
same as the letter constituting the name of the regular street imme- 
diately following it. Future streets should be laid out at such con- 
venient intervals as to render shorter "places" unnecessary. Unin- 
habited alleys can be designated by means of the nearest streets. 
The poor will thus be relieved of the necessity of considering them- 
selves as mere alley refuse, and we shall be rid of the abominable 
names which now disgrace our city directory, and which are deroga- 
tory to the dignity of manhood, for though good may come out of 
Nazareth, it is hard to imagine it as coming out of Bedbug alley. 

On August 27, 1 888, Congress approved "An act to regulate the 
subdivision of land within the District of Columbia." The most 
important section of this bill is section 5, which provides that "No 
future subdivision of land in the District of Columbia, without the 
limits of the cities of Washington and Georgetown, shall be recorded 
in the surveyor's office of the said District unless made in conformity 
with the general plan of the city of Washington." As a result of 
this the District Commissioners, on December 6, 1888, issued a series 
of "General Orders" in regard to streets and subdivisions in the 
District. These orders embody the fruits of careful study of the 
question by practical men familiar with the requirements of the case 
and the difficulties to be overcome. The sections which bear most 
upon the point at issue are as follows : 

7. No subdivision ofland outside the cities of Washington and George- 
town will be approved unless the streets aud avenues therein conform as 
far as practicable in width and general direction to the same streets and 
avenues in the city of Washington. 

8. Whenever practicable, streets aud avenues will be in exact align- 
ment with the streets aud avenues of the city of Washington and of 
equal width. 

20. The names of all avenues, streets, circles, and public spaces will 
be subject to the approval of the Commissioners. 

21. The following scheme for naming these will be adhered to : 



Jan. 1S93.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 33 

22. The broad diagonal highways will be designated as avenues and 
will be named after the States of the Union. 

23. Streets running north and south will be numbered each way from 
the meridian of the Capitol. If the streets are not direct continuations 
of the city streets, their names will correspond with the city streets most 
nearly due north or south of them. 

24. Streets running east and west will be named from the letters of the 
alphabet until these letters are exhausted. Beyond this they will be 
named after the principal cities of America, the names of which com- 
mence with the letters of the alphabet in their proper order of rotation, 
as Albany street, Baltimore street, Chicago street, Detroit street, etc., 
etc. When the alphabet is thus exhausted the succeeding streets will 
be named for the principal rivers and lakes of America, the names of 
which commence with the letters of the alphabet in proper rotation, as 
Albemarle street, Brazos street, Champlain street, Des Moines street, etc. 

25. Streets not in exact aligume-nt with those to the east or west of 
them will take the names of those streets most nearly in the line of their 
direct continuation. 

26. Small streets which do not form an essential part of the rectangu- 
lar system of streets will be designated as "places," and will receive 
such names as may be approved by the Commissioners. 

27. No two streets, avenues, or places in the District of Columbia 
shall have the same name. 

28. Circles and other public spaces will be named after distinguished 
Americans who have been prominent in the service of their country. 

We have here provision for three alphabetic series of street names, 
viz., letters, American cities, and American lakes and rivers, suffi- 
cient to furnish names for possible streets as far out to the north as 
a line drawn west from Takoma Park station, leaving about ten or 
twelve possible streets beyond unprovided for. The lettered streets 
as now existing end with W, at Florida avenue, omitting J, which is 
discarded on account of its resemblance in manuscript to I. The 
letter series, however, although of long standing, has many enemies 
on account of its baldness. One writer, in a letter to the Com- 
missioners on this subject, refers to it as " utilitarianism run mad." 

As far back as 1886 a bill had been introduced into the Senate 
proposing to substitute for letters two alphabetic series of names of 
distinguished Americans, taking for the north the names of states- 
men and for the south the names of commanders in the army or 
navy. Thus, for A, JB, C, and D streets it was proposed to substitute 
Adams, Benton, Clay, and Douglas streets. 

More recently a plan was proposed for distinguishing the lettered 
streets south by names of women. The list started off very well 
5 



34 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

with Bertha, Diana, and Florence, but when it got down to Kath- 
leen, Ophelia, Priscilla, and Sophia the originators of the scheme 
fled in horror from the thing they had created. 

Still another plan, now under contemplation, is to use letters 
only to designate the short " place " streets already referred to, 
having the letter in each case to correspond with the initial of the 
name of the parallel street immediately preceding it,* and to use for 
all other streets running east and west different series of alphabeti- 
cal names sufficient to furnish names for all such possible streets to 
the bounds of the District. It is proposed to stop at W, the re- 
maining letters being difficult to handle, and to have distinct series 
north and south of the central line of the city. This would neces- 
sitate seven alphabetic series or parts of series of names, four north 
and three south, of which it is contemplated that the first, north, 
shall consist of the names of distinguished Americans, to take the 
place of the present letter names ; the second to be names of Ameri- 
can 'cities, the third American rivers and lakes, the fourth or partial 
series unprovided for. For the letter names south the scheme con- 
templates, first, a series of tree and plant names instead of the 
present letter names, to be followed by another series and a frac- 
tional series unprovided for to extend to the southernmost corner 
of the District. 

It is claimed that this arrangement would discriminate at once 
between north and south, and thus obviate the need of the N. or S. 
in letter addresses, while it would also show how far from the center 
any point might be located. The objections to it, however, are fatal. 
We cannot get rid of the E. and W. in letter addresses, and experi- 
ence has shown that there is greater liability to forgetfulness where 
only one letter is used than when two must be considered. There 
is no good reason why we should have different series north and 
south when we have only one system of numbers east and west, and 
are consequently obliged to take the sectional abbreviation con- 
stantly into our calculation. 

It is practically impossible to formulate seven alphabetic series of 
names that shall be entirely distinct and otherwise satisfactory and 
not be forced and ridiculous in places on account of the very limita- 
tions of the case. Certain letters do not fit well in alphabetic series, 

* It would be preferable to designate places by the names of the next 
following streets in order to avoid the difficulty of uamiug the places 
below A and First streets. 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 35 

while for certain other letters there are always a number of candi- 
dates equally worthy of a place. This is especially true of any 
alphabetic series of "distinguished Americans." Under certain 
letters there is a redundancy of candidates, all equally deserving of 
commemoration, while under other letters it is impossible to find 
names, excepting those of persons so obscure as to be practically 
unknown. It is absurd to commemorate a man simply because his 
name chances to begin with a K or a V. The circle and other park 
monuments are the proper mediums by which to commemorate our 
great men, and this distinction should be reserved for those who are 
really great, and as there is always a wide diversity of opinion in 
such matters, the honors should be awarded only by a national 
legislative body. We may suggest that men who have enriched our 
country by their writings, explorations, and inventions as much 
deserve monumental honors as our generals and politicians. 

A modification of the " distinguished American " plan proposed 
was to have four such series, one for each section, so that the name 
should indicate the section without the addition of a suffix. To 
accomplish this it was intended to have one series consist of names 
of military commanders, another of naval commanders, a third of 
statesmen, and a fourth of authors, inventors, etc. The objection 
to this is that it assumes for our entire population, including those 
of foreign birth, a knowledge of American biography possessed by 
few even of our educated citizens. 

As the sectional system of street distinction entails certain un- 
avoidable difficulties, it may be asked why it is not better to get rid 
of it entirely by numbering the streets in a single concentric series 
from east to west of the District, and using some different series in 
the other direction in regular succession from one boundary to the 
other, instead of making every series start from the Capitol as a 
central point? The answer to this is that we must make provision 
for the possibility, and even probability, that at no very distant 
period the Federal city will cover not only the whole of the present 
District, but a great part of the adjoining territory. Artificial 
boundaries cannot confine the growth of a great city, still less of a 
national capital, and we may look forward to the day when the 
numerous suburban villages springing up all around Washington 
will form parts of one great whole under Federal jurisdiction. A 
system of street nomenclature which makes the Capitol the starting- 
point is the only one adapted to meet the possibilities of such future 



36 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

growth in every direction. Whenever the time comes to readjust 
the District boundaries the lines should coincide with the direction 
of the cardinal points, which is not the case at present. 

Another proposition is to discard the alphabetic system entirely 
and use a numeral system instead, calling the streets running north 
and south First street, Second street, etc., as at present, and calling 
those at right angles with them First avenue, Second avenue, etc., 
to the limits of the District. This plan possesses the merit of ex- 
treme simplicity, and enables the stranger at once to ascertain his 
distance from a given point, which he cannot do under a system 
made up of several alphabetic series without knowing the order of 
the several series and making an intricate calculation in addition. 
For instance, he would know that the distance from Fourth avenue 
to Fortieth avenue was 36 squares north or south just as certainly 
and readily as he would know that from Fourth street to Fortieth 
street was 36 squares east or west, whereas to know how far Maple 
street might be from Atlanta street he would have to know the 
proper arrangement of the alphabetic city, river, and tree series, and 
then perform an intricate operation in subtraction and addition 
upon the three series to get the distance. This plan overcomes the 
practical difficulties in the way of inventing and arranging alpha- 
betic series — difficulties which increase with each successive series 
demanded — and is capable of unlimited extension without change 
to accommodate any future growth of the city. It is in practical 
operation to a limited extent in the great commercial city of New 
York. The liability to confusion between the numbered streets and 
the numbered avenues is not as great as the liability to confusion 
under four or more different alphabetic systems. The State names 
applied to the diagonal avenues sufficiently indicate their distinctive 
character. 

The committee would suggest the retention of the present system 
of duplicate numbered streets running north and south and of the 
present existing duplicate lettered streets running east and west, 
and that all streets running parallel with the present lettered streets 
be known in future as numbered avenues, beginning with First 
avenue and continuing in regular succession. Possibly it might be 
wiser to begin with Twenty-third avenue, in order to more readily 
extend the system of the present lettered streets, should such a course 
ever seem desirable. 

It would be unwise to lengthen the names of the present lettered 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 37 

streets. Besides the confusion which such a wholesale change would 
necessarily entail for a long time, the present simple letter names 
are the shortest that can be devised, and any other series would 
require a constant additional expenditure of valuable time in 
addressing letters and indicating locations. The difference to a 
business man between writing a single letter of the alphabet and 
writing a whole word of eight or ten letters every time he has occa- 
sion to address a correspondent is something considerable in a few 
days or a week, and when we extend this difference to a whole city, 
with its population of a quarter of a million, it becomes enormous. 

If the adoption of a system of numbered avenues beyond a par- 
allel with the "present lettered streets should appear impracticable, 
the committee would suggest as an alternative duplicate alphabetic 
series of names for such streets running east and west beyond W 
street, the first series to consist of names of American cities, the 
second of American rivers, lakes, etc., and the third (partial series) 
of names of trees and plants. This is sufficient to furnish names 
for all such future streets to the present limits of the District, and 
the system may be extended if circumstances in time to come should 
demand it. The duplicate system conforms to the present method 
in use for both numbered and lettered streets, and abbreviates the 
necessity for too great multiplicity of series. In a system of city 
nomenclature based upon the alphabet there is a logical reason in 
beginning with the alphabet itself and proceeding successively to 
cities, next to natural geographic features, and then to natural 
productions. 

We may now consider the essential requisites of the names to be 
selected. The chief requirement is that they shall be such as can 
be readily pronounced, or written upon a letter address, without 
unnecessary labor or loss of time or liability to error ; therefore 
they should be smooth sounding, reasonably short, and the spelling 
should indicate'the pronunciation according to the ordinary rules 
of English orthography. This last proviso would bar out such 
names as Agassiz, Des Moines, and l'Enfant, however much we 
might desire to commemorate the originals. Double names, such 
as New Orleans or St. Clair, are also to be avoided. K, N, Z, and 
U are always difficult letters to fill in an alphabetic series, and conse- 
quently there is little room for choice where they are concerned. 

The following lists of names are submitted for the several series 
proposed : 



38 



THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 



[Vol. VI. 



First Series. — Letters of the Alphabet. 
The present system of letters of the alphabet from A to W, omit- 
ting J, to remain unchanged. 

Second Series. — American Cities. 
In 18S9 the following series of city names was prepared in the 
Engineer Department of the District Office: 



Albany. 

Baltimore. 

Cincinnati. 

Detroit. 

Emporia. 

Frankfort. 

Galveston. 

Hartford. 

Indianapolis. 



Joliet. 

Keokuk. 

Lowell. 

Milwaukee. 

Newark. 

Omaha. 

Philadelphia. 

Quincy. 

Richmond. 



Savannah. 

Trenton. 

Utica. 

Vallejo. 

Wilmington. 

Xeuia. 

Yuma. 

Zauesville. 



To this list, which runs out to the end of the alphabet, there are 
several objections. Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia are 
too long, Newark is too nearly like New York, and Savannah is the 
name of a river as well as of a city. Lowell and Quincy are liable 
to be confounded with any series of "distinguished Americans" 
that might be adopted. The long sound of U in Utica is objec- 
tionable on account of its resemblance to Yu, and Vallejo is liable 
to mispronunciation. 

For this series we would suggest the following: : 
Atlanta or Albany. 
Baltimore. 

Charleston or Chester. 
Detroit. 



Lola or Iuka. 

Joliet. 

Kingston. 

Lansing or Louisville. 



Emporia. 

Frankfort. 

Galena or Galveston. 

Hartford. 



Monterey or Montreal. 
Newport or Nashville. 
Oakland or Omaha. 
Portland. 



Quebec 

Richmond. 

Salem or Springfield. 

Toledo or Topeka. 

Urbana. 

Vandalia or Vicksburg. 

Wilmington. 



Albemarle. 

Biloxi. 

Chesapeake. 

Dolores (in Colorado, 

250 miles long). 
Erie. 
Fresno. 
Gasconade. 
Huron. 



Third Series. — American Rivers, etc. 

Itasca. Roanoke. 

Juniata. Sciota or Santee. 

Kennebec. Tahoe or Tallapoosa. 

Lehigh. Uugara (in Labrador) or 

Miami. Umatilla. 

Niagara. Vermilion. 

Ontario. Wabash. 

Potomac. 

Quinebaug. . 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 39 

Fourth Series. — Trees and Plants. 

Azalea or Aspeu. Grape or Goldenrod. Maple or Magnolia. 

Buckeye or Beech. Holly or Hazel. Nopal. 

Chestnut. Ivy. Oak or Olive. 

Dahlia or Dogwood. Juniper. Poplar or Pine. 

Elm or Elder. Kalmia. 

Fern. Laurel or Linden. 

As these are sufficient to name all the streets of this series, the list 
need not be carried farther. 

Circles. 

In addition to the existing circles at the intersections of avenues 
within or adjacent to the present city boundaries it is intended to 
have similar small reservations, of circular, elliptical, or other con- 
venient shape, at the intersections of all avenues to be laid out within 
the District in the future, and also at the points where the avenues 
shall meet the future avenue or boulevard which is intended to form 
the boundary of the District on its three land sides. It is intended 
that each of these small reservations shall ultimately be the site of a 
monument erected in honor of some distinguished American, as is 
already the case with many of the existing circles. These reserva- 
tions will naturally be known by the names of the personages com- 
memorated by the monuments erected upon them, in continuance 
of the existing custom. As state names are reserved for avenues, 
the name of Iowa circle should be changed to conform to the regular 
plan of circle nomenclature. 

Bridges. 

There is no reason why the name of the Aqueduct bridge should 
be changed, as has been urged, to Free bridge. The present name 
is the more euphonious as well as the more distinctive, for all bridges 
within the District are, or should be, free. The Long bridge must 
always remain as it has always been, distinctively the long bridge. 
In other cases bridges should be named from the roads of which 
they are a part or the streams which they span. In naming bridges 
over small streams within the parks, a bridge across Cascade run or 
Ivy brook might appropriately be called Cascade bridge or Ivy 
bridge instead of Cascade Run bridge or Ivy Brook bridge, and so on . 



40 i THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

Suburban Roads and Villages. 

It is unnecessary to plan an elaborate system of names for the 
suburban villages and roads of the District, as with the growth of 
the city the villages will be absorbed, while most of the roads will 
be made to conform more nearly to established city thoroughfares, 
the names of which they will then assume, or will be wiped out alto- 
gether. In the meantime, a k\v suggestions are in order. 

Regular thoroughfares outside of cities are commonly known as 
turnpikes or pikes, roads, and lanes. A turnpike or pike is simply 
a road along which at intervals are erected turnpike gates at which 
toll is collected for the privilege of passing over the road. The 
term lane implies something more hemmed in and narrower than 
the ordinary road, and in this sense is frequently used to denote a 
passageway leading up from the main road to a country residence. 
There is a pleasant suggestion of fresh flowers and green hedge-rows 
in the name that renders it peculiarly appropriate for use in con- 
nection with a number of driveways that may hereafter, be laid out 
in the Zoological or Rock Creek park. The smaller park roadways, 
too narrow to permit the passage of vehicles, may appropriately be 
designated as paths or walks, both names alike having an agreeable 
woodland flavor. 

Pikes and other country roads are usually known by the names ot 
the principal towns, streams, or other features along their lines, 
as the Bladensburg road, Broadbranch road, Piercemill road, etc. 
Many of our District roads, following the old colonial fashion, take 
their names from the early proprietors of the estates through which 
they ran, as the Carroll road, the Blair road, and so on. Theoret- 
ically the name of a road should indicate its objective point or gen- 
eral direction, but this is not often practicable within the District, 
owing to the irregular configuration of the surface. 

Road names, like those of streets, should be reasonably short and 
not liable to mispronunciation or apprehension, and to avoid re- 
dundancy those roads which are approximately continuous along 
the same line should have the same name. In accord with this idea 
several changes might be made with advantage. 

Loughboro road. — This name is liable both to mispronunciation 
and misreading. On one map it appears as Longboro. The name 
does not indicate the terminus or direction of the road and should 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 41 

be discarded and the road considered a part of the Ridge road or 
of the other of which it is a continuation. 

Foxall road. — This is another name for the Ridge road (west). 
On one map it appears as Fox Hall. Two names are unnecessary. 
It would be better to restrict the name Foxhall to the part below 
the New-Cut road. 

New- Cut road. — Compound names are objectionable. It would 
be better, if possible, to select a simple name which would not 
suggest a time period. 

Woodley-Lane road. — The name is tautologic. To conform to 
the general system, it should be called Woodley road. 

Quarry road. — This road was so called from the former quarry at 
its terminus on Rock creek. As it is now the main thoroughfare 
to the Zoological park, it might appropriately be called the Park 
road. 

Linnean-Hill road should be abbreviated to Linnean road. 

Military road. — There are two roads of this name, a fact which 
sometimes leads to confusion. Some other name should be given 
to one of the two. 

Rock- Creek-Ford road. — This road is practically abandoned and 
the name should be dropped from the maps. 

Rock- Creek- Church road. — This name is too long, besides being 
liable to be confounded with that of the obsolete road last men- 
tioned. As the old church from which it takes its name has now no 
apparent connection with the creek, it would be better to call this 
simply the Church road. 

Fourteenth-Street road. — As this road bends around until it runs 
into Seventh street at Brightwood, the name is inappropriate. 
Beyond Brightwood its most direct continuation is the Piney-Branch 
road, which as at present defined is entirely cut off from Piney 
branch, while "Fourteenth-Street road" crosses this stream. It 
would be better to consider both as constituting one road under 
an appropriate name beyond the bend from the direct line of 
Fourteenth street. The name Piney road is suggested. 

Brightwood avenue. — If this road is to be considered a continua- 
tion of Seventh street, it should be called Seventh street or, for the 
present, Seventh-street road. If it is to be an avenue it should be 
named from a state, in accordance with the general plan. 
6 



42 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

Columbia road. — This is now practically within the city and 
should be called either an avenue or a street, with a name to accord 
with the general plan. The present name is, moreover, a duplica- 
tion, having also been sometimes applied to the Bladensburg road. 

Bladensburg road. — As just stated, this has also been called Co- 
lumbia road and is so marked on some maps. The first name is 
better for several reasons and should be officially adopted. 

Queen's Chapel road. — This name would be better as one word 
without the apostrophe. 

Ridge road (east). — This name, applied to a road east of Ana- 
costia river, is a duplication of a name given to another west of 
Georgetown. To avoid confusion, one of them should be given a 
different name. 

Eastern Branch or Anacostia road — should be simply Anacostia 
road. 

Columbia boulevard. — This would seem the most appropriate name 
for the future grand avenue or boulevard to form the boundary of 
the District of Columbia on the three land sides, leaving the Poto- 
mac as the boundary on the fourth. It is to be supposed that the 
character of the road will justify the use of the term boulevard. 

Streams, Elevations, and Country Seals. 

Streams (natural) are variously designated as rivers, creeks, 
branches, forks, runs, or brooks, according to size or local habits of 
nomenclature. A river is commonly understood to be a stream of 
the largest size, and a brook one of the smallest, while creeks, 
branches, or runs are understood to occupy intermediate positions. 
There is, however, no fixed line of demarcation, and the use of the 
terms is largely indiscriminate and varies according to locality. In 
the West a creek may be defined as a stream of the second class — 
i. e., a stream somewhat smaller than what would be known as a 
river in the same neighborhood — while in tide-water Maryland and 
Virginia the term is commonly used to denote a tidal estuary. In 
the West also the term branch is but seldom used, creek or fork 
taking its place, while the term run is practically unknown. 

When names are made official, however, there should be a system. 
The Potomac is universally recognized as a river, and the stream 
formerly called the Eastern branch is now also officially designated 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 43 

as a river, the Anacostia. The more important tributaries of these 
rivers may be designated as creeks ; lesser tributaries and the princi- 
pal tributaries of creeks may be called branches, and streams of the 
smallest size may be distinguished as runs or brooks. Thus we have 
river, creek, branch, and run or brook as designations for four classes 
of streams, from the largest to the smallest, that need be indicated 
upon an ordinary map. For illustration, a brook flows into Piney 
branch, which in turn flows into a larger stream, Rock creek, and 
this flows into the largest stream, the Potomac river. 

A few of the streams within the District have recognized names 
which may well stand, only making the designation conform to the 
system indicated, where this is not already the case. A number of 
others have been named by Prof. Lester F. Ward in accordance 
with their botanic or physical characteristics, and some of these 
names appear on a map printed with his work on the District flora, 
published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1881. Many of them 
are in every way appropriate and may well be adopted. For other 
streams names may be selected from the lists herewith appended. It 
might be well also to commemorate in this manner some of the early 
explorers of the region when the names are sufficiently distinctive. 

A few prominent ridges and other elevations should have names, 
but it is unnecessary to go very far in this direction, in view of the 
probability that with the extension of the city streets nearly "every 
valley shall be filled and every mountain made low." Every hill 
formerly crowned by a fort should be called by the name of that fort, 
if the hill itself is to remain, as Stevenson hill, Bunker hill, etc., 
and the historic fact should be further commemorated by an inex- 
pensive monument. Many names will be suggested by the particular 
characteristics of the place. For the rest selections may be made 
from the appended lists. 

Villa sites will be named according to the tastes of their owners, 
and this part of the subject is hardly a matter for official notice. In 
most cases the good sense and refinement of this class of proprietors 
may safely be trusted to work out pleasing results. To those in need 
of suggestions the appended lists offer a wide range for selection. 

A few miscellaneous local features, such as springs, ponds, level 
stretches and bends in streams, will need names, especially within 
the Zoological and Rock Creek parks. We have nothing within 
the District which can be called a lake, but custom has made the 
term appropriate for artificial ponds in public parks. The word is 



44 THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. [Vol. VI. 

also euphonious on account of the liquid /. For such small bodies 
of water the terms lake or pond may be used. Cliff, bluff and 
promontory, cascade and falls are all appropriate in their places. 
Grove, for small bodies of timber in parks, etc., is better than forest 
or wood. 

In every case the geographic name should be euphonious, and 
not too long, and where it has a meaning the idea conveyed should 
be pleasant and appropriate. To be most euphonious a name should 
consist of a regular succession of vowel and consonant or liquid 
sounds without redundancy or awkward combinations of either ; the 
elemental sounds themselves should be euphonious, and in words of 
more than two syllables the accent, as a rule, should fall on the last 
syllable or the penult. The liquids /, ;/, and r tend always to 
euphonic effect. Botanic and biologic terms from the Latin and 
Greek are almost always euphonious and may appropriately be used 
when not too long. The Powhatan language, formerly spoken by 
the aborigines of the District and adjacent territory, abounds in 
musical terms combining the sonorous character of the northern 
languages with the soft vocalic syllables of the south. Rappahan- 
nock, Susquehanna, Potomac, Chesapeake, Roanoke, Powhatan, 
tomahawk, and moccasin are all from this language and show the 
character of its phonology. Philologic, ethnologic, and antiquarian 
considerations demand that we should preserve what remains of the 
names and language of our aborigines, and there can be no more 
practical way of accomplishing this result than by conferring these 
names, whenever appropriate, upon the streams and hills within 
their ancient domain. Names indicating the fauna and flora of the 
District are also peculiarly appropriate, either in the scientific or 
the popular form, as well as names based upon geologic features, 
etc., as Mitellarun, Mistletoe valley, Snowbird spring, Firefly ridge, 
Mica bluff, etc. It would be obviously out of place to use the names 
of plants or animals not native to the District, or the names of the 
larger animals, which have been so long extinct in this region as to 
be practically foreign to it. A number of appropriate names will 
also be suggested by the picturesque character of the country. A 
few old homestead names from across the water may be retained on 
account of their antiquarian associations, but as far as possible the 
District names should be distinctively local and American. Family 
names for natural geographic nomenclature should be tabooed 
entirely. 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 45 



Selected Names from Ward's Nomenclature of the Rock Creek 

Region. 

Rocket run. — Entering Rock creek from the west a short distance above 
Oak Hill cemetery. So named from the abundance along its 
banks of the rocket plant {Hesperis matronalis), rare elsewhere 
in the District. 

Conopholis ridge. — A high ridge between two streams entering the creek 
on the same side a little farther up. So named from the abun- 
dance of the Conopholis Americana. The English names of the 
plant, cancer root and squaw root, are obviously inappropriate. 

Aralia run. — Farther up on the north side of the creek. From the Aralia 
spinosa or Hercules club found growing here and almost no place 
elsewhere in the District. 

Mitella run. — Entering the creek from the north not far below Woodley 
Dane bridge. From the abundance of Mitella diphylla or Bishop's 
Cap. 

Checkerberry bluff. — On the northwest bank of Rock creek, at the great 
bend near the Holt house and the present headquarters of the 
Zoological park. So named from the presence there of the Gaul- 
theria procumbens or checkerberry. 

Mistletoe valley. — The ravine through which runs the Quarry road, which 
leads to the principal entrance of the Zoological park. So called 
from the occurrence of the mistletoe on several of the sour-gum 
trees growing in it, especially on its southern slope. 

Violet ridge. — The gravelly ridge between the two branches of the small 
stream which enters Rock creek from the east near the entrance 
to the Zoological park. So named from the abundance upon it of 
the Viola pedata or birdfoot violet. 

Valerian bluff. — On north side of the creek, near the upper end of the 
Zoological park. From the abundance here of the Polemonitim 
reptans or Greek valerian. 

Cascade run.—" Here the Zoological park ends and the Rock Creek park 
begins, and the fine stream that comes in from the west is my Cas- 
cade run, so named from the cascade that it has formed. This is 
one of the finest natural cataracts in the Rock creek region." 

Poplar bottom. — On the left bank, in the bend just below Pierce's mill. 

Soapstone run. — A tributary of Broad branch. "From the well-known 
soapstoue quarry " near its head. 

Wiutergreen ridge. — A ridge or promontory on the north bank of Rock 
creek near Blagden's mill. From the abundance .there of the 
wiutergreen or checkerberry, Gaultheria procumbens. 



46 



THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 



[Vol. VI. 



NAMES FROM THE DISTRICT FLORA. 



(For convenience the popular and scientific names are arranged in one 
alphabetic series. ) 



Acanthus. 

Acorns. 

Adiautum. 

Alchemilla. 

Alder. 

Aletris. 

Alisina. 

Allium. 

Aluus, 

Amaranth. 

Amaryllis. 

Ambrosia. 

Auacharis. 

Andrea. 

Andromeda. 

Anemone. 

Anomodon. 

Anthemis. 

Aphyllou. 

Apricot. 

Arabis. 

Aralia. 

Arbutus. 

Arenaria. 

Arethusa. 

Arisema. 

Asarum. 

Asclepias. 

Asimiua. 

Aspen. 

Asphodel. 

Aspidium. 

Aster. 

Azalea. 

Baptisia. 

Barberry. 

Basil. 

Basswood. 

Bay berry. 

Beech. 

Bellflower. 



Bellwort. 

Bergamot. 

Betula. 

Bindweed. 

Birch. 

Bittersweet. 

Bitterweed. 

Blackberry. 

Bloodroot. 

Blueberry. 

Bluet. 

Boneset. 

Boxelder. 

Bracken. 

Brake. 

Brasenia. 

Brassica. 

Bromus. 

Brookweed. 

Bruchia. 

Bruiiella. 

Buckthorn. 

Bulrush. 

Burdock. 

Burnet. 

Buttercup. 

Butternut 

Buttonwood. 

Cacalia. 

Calamintha. 

Calamus. 

Calla. 

Cameliua. 

Campanula. 

Campion. 

Cannabis. 

Capsella. 

Cardamine. 

Cardinal (Cardinalis). 

Carpiuus. 

Carya. 



Cassia. 

Castanea. 

Catalpa. 

Catchfly. 

Catnip. 

Cattail. 

Cedar. 

Celandine. 

Celastrus. 

Ceutaurea. 

Cerastiutn. 

Charlock. 

Checkerberry. 

Cherry. 

Chervil. 

Chestnut. 

Chickory. 

Chickweed. 

Chinquapin (aboriginal). 

Chokeberry. 

Chokecherry. 

Choudrilla. 

Circea. 

Claytouia. 

Clearweed. 

Clematis. 

Clitoria. 

Clover. 

Columbine. 

Comandra. 

Couopholis. 

Convulvulus. 

Coralroot. 

Coreopsis. 

Cornel. 

Corydalis. 

Cory 1 us. 

Cowslip. 

Crabapple. 

Cranesbil. 

Cratagus. 



Jan. 1893.] 



GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 



47 



Cress. 

Crotalaria. 

Crowfoot. 

Cryptogam. 

Cunila. 

Cuphea. 

Currant. 

Cuscuta. 

Cynthia. 

Dactylis. 

Dandelion. 

Danthonia. 

Darnel. 

Datura. 

Day flower. 

Deerberry. 

Delphinium. 

Deutaria. 

Desmodium. 

Dewberry. 

Diauthus. 

Diceutra. 

Dicranum. 

Diodia. 

Dirca. 

Dock. 

Dogbane. 

Dogrose. 

Dogwood. 

Drosera. 

Duckweed. 

Dulichium. 

Eatonia. 

Eckium. 

Eclipta. 

Elder. 

Eleusine. 

Ellisia. 

Elm. 

Elymus. 

Epigea. 

Equisetum. 

Erianthus. 

Erigenia. 

Erodium. 

Eryngo. 



Euphorbia. 

Evergreen. 

Everlasting. 

Fedia. 

Fern. 

Festuca. 

Filago. 

Filbert. 

Fireweed. 

Flax. 

Fleabane. 

Floral. 

Flower, Flowery. 

Fontiualis. 

Forgetmeuot. 

Foxgrape. 

Fragaria. 

Frasera. 

Frostweed. 

Fuuaria. 

Galingale. 

Galium. 

Gaultheria. 

Gaura. 

Gentian. 

Geranium. 

Gerardia. 

Gillenia. 

Ginseng. 

Glyceria. 

Goldeurod. 

Gooseberry. 

Grape. 

Gratiola. 

Greenbrier. 

Gum tree. 

Hackberry. 

Hawkweed. 

Hawthorn. 

Hazel. 

Hedeoma. 

Helenium. 

Heliauthus. 

Heliopsis. 

Heliotrope. 

Hemlock. 



Hemp. 

Hepatica. " 

Heracleum. 

Herpestis. 

Hesperis. 

Hibiscus. 

Hickory. 

Holcus. 

Holly. 

Honeysuckle. 

Hop. 

Hornbeam. 

Horsemint. 

Houstonia. 

Huckleberry. 

Hydrangea. 

Hypericum. 

Ilex. 

Indigo. 

Iris. 

Irouweed. 

Ironwood. 

Isanthus. 

Itea. 

Juucus. 

Juniper. 

Kalmia. 

Lactuca. 

Lamium. 

Laportea. 

Larkspur. 

Lathy r us. 

Laurel. 

Leafcup. 

Lechea. 

Leek. 

Lemua. 

Leonurus. 

Leptodon. 

Leskea. 

Lespedeza. 

Liatris. 

Lily. 

Linaria. 

Linden. 

Lindera. 



48 



THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 



rvoi. VI. 



Liparis. 

Liverwort. 

Lobelia. 

Locust. 

Lupinus. 

Lycium. 

Lycopus. 

Madura. 

Maguolia. 

Maidenhair. 

Mallow. 

Malva. 

Mandrake. 

Maple. 

Mariscus. 

Maruta. 

Maj-apple. 

Meadowsweet. 

Medeola. 

Melauthium. 

Melastorna. 

Melioa. 

Melissa. 

Mentha. 

Mertensia. 

Milfoil. 

Mint. 

Mistletoe. 

Mitchella. 

Mitella. 

Monarda. 

Moonseed. 

Moosewood. 

Morning-glory. 

Moss, Mossy. 

Mulberry. 

Mullein. 

Mustard. 

Myrica. 

Myrtle. 

Nasturtium. 

Negundo. 

Nepeta. 

Nesea. 

Nettle. 

Nicandra. 



Nightshade. 

Nitella. 

Nymphea. 

Nyssa. 

Oak. 

Obolaria. 

Onoclea. 

Orchis. 

Oroutium. 

Osmunda. 

Ostrya. 

Oxalis. 

Pauicum. 

Pansy. 

Papaw. 

Pardanthus. 

Parsley. 

Partridgeberry. 

Pastinaca. 

Pellea. 

Peltandra. 

Penthorum. 

Peppergrass. 

Peppermint. 

Perilla. 

Periwinkle. 

Persea. 

Persimmon (aboriginal). 

Phacelia. 

Phalaris. 

Phaseolus. 

Physalis. 

Pilea. 

Pimpernel. 

Pine. 

Pink. 

Pinoak. 

Piuweed. 

Pirus. 

Plautago. 

Plantain. 

Platanus. 

Plum. 

Polemonium. 

Polymnia. 

Pondlily. 



Poudweed. 

Poplar. 

Poppy. 

Portulaca. 

Postoak. 

Poterium. 

Puccoon (aboriginal). 

Pyrola. 

P.adula. 

Ragweed. 

Ranunculus. 

Raphanus. 

Raspberry. 

Rattlebox. 

Redbud. 

Redroot. 

Rhododendron. 

Riciuus. 

Robinia. 

Rochelia. 

Rockbrake. 

Rocket. 

Rose. 

Ruel. 

Ruellia. 

Rush. 

Sage. 

Salsola. 

Salvia. 

Samolus. 

Sandwort. 

Sanicle. 

Sanicula. 

Saponaria. 

Sassafras. 

Scapania. 

Scleria. 

Scutellaria. 

Sedge. 

Senna. 

Service. 

Setaria. 

Shellbark (hickory). 

Silkweed. 

Silphium. 

Smilax. 



Jan. 1893.] 



GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 



49 



Suakeroot. 

Suowberry. 

Soapberry. 

Solatium. 

Solidago. 

Sorrel. 

Spartiua. 

Spearmint. 

Speedwell. 

Spergula. 

Spice wood. 

Spruce. 

Stellaria. 

Stramonium. 

Strawberry. 

Sumac 

Sundew. 

Sundrop. 

Sunflower. 

Sweetwilliam. 

Sycamore. 

Tansy. 

Teasel. 



Tephrosia. 

Thalictrum. 

Thelia. 

Thistle. 

Thorn, Thorny. 

Thornapple. 

Tilia. 

Tipularia. 

Tricuspis. 

Trifolium. 

Trillium. 

Trisetum. 

Trumpetvine. 

Tulip. 

Tupelo (aboriginal, 

southern). 
Turkscap. 
Twinleaf. 
Uniola. 
Valerian. 
Velvetleaf. 
Veratrum. 
Verbena. 



Vernal. 
Veruouia. 
Veronica. 
Vervain. 
Viburnum. 
Viuca. 
Vine, Viny. 
Viola. 
Violet. 
Walnut. 
Watercress. 
Waterleaf. 
Waterlily. 
Watershield. 
Waxweed. 
Willow. 
Wiudflower. 
Winterberry. 
Wiutergreen. 
Witchhazel. 
Woodbine. 
Woody. 
Yarrow. 



NAMES FROM THE FAUNA OF THE DISTRICT. 



Aquila (eagle). 

Bitteru. 

Blackbird. 

Bluebird. 

Bobolink. 

Butterfly. 

Buzzard. 

Canvasback. 

Catbird. 

Catfish. 

Chickadee. 

Chipmunk. 

Chrysalis. 

Cicada. 

Cowbird. 

Creeper. 

Cricket. 

Crow. 



Cuckoo. 

Curlew. 

Deudroica (warbler). 

Dragonfly. 

Eagle. 

Eel. 

Falco, Falcon. 

Fieldmouse. 

Firefly. 

Fishhawk. 

Flycatcher. 

Glowworm. 

Goldfinch. 

Grasshopper. 

Grouudsquirrel. 

Hawk. 

Heron. 

Hiruudo (swallow T ). 



Hummingbird. 

Hylodes. 

Kildeer. 

Kingbird. 

Kingfisher. 

Eark. 

Eizard. 

Eocust. 

Mallard. 

Martin. 

Mayfly. 

Minnow. 

Mockingbird. 

Mouse. 

Mullet. 

Muskrat. 

Nighthawk. 

Opossum (aboriginal). 



50 



THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 



[Vol. VI. 



Oriole. 

Ortolan. 

Owl. 

Papilio (butterfly). 

Partridge. 

Pewee. 

Pigeon. 

Pintail. 

Quail. 

Rabbit. 

Raccoon (aboriginal). 

Redbird. 

Redbreast. 



Redstart. 

Regulus (kinglet). 

Robin. 

Sandpiper. 

Sapsucker. 

Skylark. 

Snowbird. 

Sora (aboriginal ? - 

ortolan). 
Sparrow. 
Squirrel. 
Swallow. 
Tanager. 



Thrush. 

Tomtit. 

Trout. 

Turtle. 

Turtledove. 

Vireo. 

Wagtail. 

Waxwing. 

Warbler. 

Weasel. 

Whippoorwill. 

Wren. 



ABORIGINAL TERMS FROM THE POWHATAN LANGUAGE. 

This is the language of the aborigines formerly inhabiting the 
District and adjacent territory. The terms are taken from Strachey, 
Smith, and other early writers, the spelling being modified to con- 
form more nearly with modern English orthography and phonetics. 



Assimi'u — walnut (hickory ?). 

Assimoest — fox. 

Attomoi / s — dog. 

Awshocuttis— "a bird with carna- 
tion-colored wings," with whose 
feathers the Indians adorned 
themselves. 

Bocata / w — fire. 

Caasuu — village. 

Cahangoc — goose. 



Accohican — "to. make a dish." 
Accoudu' — "blue berries of the 

bigues of grapes, very pleasant. " 
Ahshaha / m — lobster. 
Aua / nsecoon — "a reed mat." 
Auascomin — acorn. 
Anath — farewell. 
Aotaw'k — rat. 
Apegwu 's — mouse. 
Apoca'n — pipe. 
Aposon — "a beast in bignes like a Camatin'g — six. 

pig and in tast alike " (opossum). Camzowa / u — rain. 
Appoaus — bread (pone). 
Aquataneek — a green tree. 
Aquinta'u — a boat. 
Aracu'n — "a beast like a fox" 

(raccoon). 
Arrokoth — the sky. 
Asaqueth — "the clay they make 

pipes of." 
Ascamuiik — eel. 
Aspamu' — the earth. 
Asque'owan — arrow. 
Assentucara — " it shineth." 
Asse / ntamin — "a pear" (?). 



Cantoca'u — dance. 

Cawwiu — sleep. 

Chacasow — crack. 

Cheawanta — "a robin red-breast." 

Chechinkamiu — chinkapin. 

Chehip — bird. 

Checomaw / — muscle shell. 

Chingissum— warm weather. 

Coau — snow. 

Coaqus — gull. 

Commoti'ns — turtle. 

Coquain — calm. 

Crenepo — woman. 



Jan. 1893.] 



GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 



51 



Cutmaiu — long. 

Cuuse'nagwus — an Indian toma- 
hawk. 

Cuppatoan — sturgeon. 

Cuppanauk — gate. 

Cuttac — otter. 

Cutteru' — "to grow high.' 

Cuttoxeen — weary. 

Damisac — knife. 

Escowascus — sedge. 

Hauguequi'ns — "a little stone 
pot." 

Huspissa'wn — leap. 

Japasaws — chief of the Potomacs. 

Kecuttano'was — lightning. 

Kenewu' — sharp. 

Kequassou — " a pot to drink in." 

Kittasco / ok — adder. 

Macha / camac — "a great house." 

Mache / ss — low. 

Mahawk — gourd. 

Manawngwas — butterfly. 

Mangoit — great. 

Manote — basket. 

Maoco — a man's name. 

Maracaw — " apple." 

Marakimmiu — grape. 

Marahungoc — young goose. 

Mascohing — ' ' parrot. ' ' 

Matac'awiac — pearl. 

Matassu'n — copper. 

Mawngwipacus— leaves. 

Mawsawn — nettle. 

Mayis — "going in a path." 

Mequauoc — a long feather. 

Mettacook — a stalk. 

Mettaquins — grass. 

Metux — bridge. 

Missanek — squirrel . 

Moccasin ("mawhcasun ") — shoe. 

Mohocan — fish-hook. 

Moincaming — dead leaves. 

Momuscau — mole. 

Monachoc— sword. 

Monanaw — turkey. 

Moroke — cedar. 



Muscain — "glorious, smooth, or 
beautiful." 

Mussetaquao — circle. 

Nacochtank — the aboriginal set- 
tlement at the mouth of the 
Auacostia. 

Nammas — fish. 

Nawntam — wol f. 

Nawpin — sit down. 

Nepensuu — dust. 

Neppawngunuu — blood. 

Nisake — a cane (plant?). 

Nissacan — reed. 

Nouattu — fawn. 

Nowauus — lost. 

Nusomou — below. 

Nuttacawm — deep. 

Nuttaquon — flea. 

Ocquins — "a watchet-colored 
bird." 

Octa / mocan — a cup or drinking 
vessel. 

Ohawas — a crow. 

Opain — white. 

Opecha'ncano — the brother and 
successor of Powhatan. 

Opommin — chestnut. 

Opotena'oc — eagle. 

Opunawk — groundnut. 

Oronoca — a garden. 

Ospanno — a turkey cock. 

Ossantamin — a pea. 

Papaso / — sunrise. 

Pascamath — mulberry. 

Pascorath— "the gold sparks in 
the sand " (mica). 

Pawcu'nnao — dark. 

Pawngun — a little. 

Peccatoa's — bean. 

Pemanataon — thread, cord. 

Peuniuaw — robe. 

Petawin — the ground. 

Pisquaon — duck. 

Pittao— froth. 

Pocahontas — the daughter of Pow- 
hatan and friend of the whites. 



52 



THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST. 



[Vol. VI. 



Pocataws — wheat. 

Pocohawk — pestle, awl. 

Pocoons — a red dye. 

Pocosac — gun. 

Pomotaw — hill, mountain. 

Powhatan — the great chief of the 

confederated tribes of the lower 

Potomac region. 
Porance — fire. 
Porasap — a bag. 
Pungo — ashes. 
Quanacut — rainbow. 
Quangatarask — owl. 
Racaw — sand. 
Rapanta — venison. 
Rarrascaw — air. 
Rarenaw' — a chain, wampum. 
Rasauear — run. 
Reconac — tobacco pouch. 
Rickahone — comb. 
Sacaho / ok — " the cleere stones we 

gather." 
Sawwone — salt. 
Secawesa — a man's name. 
Shacahocau — stone. 
Succohauna — water. 
Tacaho / ac — a mortar. 
Tacquasu — short. 
Tamaci / n — swim. 
Tamuscamaw — flowing water. 
Tanaowa / m — where do you live ? 
Tapaco — night. 
Taquifoc— autumn. 



Tasa'ntaso — the whites. 

Tashoac — all is out. 

Tatamaho — garfish. 

Tayac — the great chief of south- 
ern Maryland. Probably a title 
rather than a name. 

Tomahawk (" tamahaac ") — hatchet. 

Towaw — strong. 

Tuckaho — "In June, July, and 
August they feed upon rootes of 
tockohow." 

Tussan — a seat. 

Uppowo / c — tobacco. 

Usawac — yellow. 

Utaca / n — dish. 

Utacaskis — lizard. 

Uttacawai — panther. 

Uttapawntam — deer. 

Wawchesa / o — a nest. 

Wecuttis — rabbit. 

Weputtahoc — a stake. 

Wingauoose — very good. 

Winganusk — the "great darling " 
of Powhatan. 

Wingatu — ripe. 

Wiroauce — a chief. 

Wisacanac — a rabbit skin. 

Wohaicank — fish scales. 

Woscau — a bone. 

Wushaguu — deer. 

Wusicket — a brook. 

Yeocauta — river. 

Yohacan — house. 



Respectfully submitted : 

James Mooney, Chairman of Committee. 
Wm. H. Babcock. W. Hallett Phillips. 
W. H. Holmes. Lester F. Ward. 



The above report was read at a meeting of the Anthropological 
Society and discussed by Mr. W J McGee, Mr. Spofford, Librarian 
of Congress; District Commissioner Douglass, Mr. Edward Good- 
fellow, Mr. F. C. Somes, James Mooney, and others. Mr. Doug- 
lass expressed his warm approval of the suggestions and general 
recommendations embodied in the report. Mr. Spofford advocated 
the substitution of another alphabetic series in place of the present 



Jan. 1893.] GEOGRAPHIC NOMENCLATURE. 53 

letter names on the ground of liability of confusion between B and 
P, M and N, etc. 

The most important suggestion was that of Mr. F. C. Somes, who 
proposed to call all principal city thoroughfares numbered streets, 
having those running in one direction to bear even numbers, while 
those running at right angles to them would be called after the odd 
numbers. This plan, which seems feasible, would obviate all possi- 
bility of confusion between streets and avenues of the same num- 
ber, together with the necessity of using the term street or avenue 
in connection with the number in every case, and the only ap- 
parent objection is that it would necessitate a readjustment of the 
names of the present numbered streets. 

There being no objection, the report was declared adopted. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 314 000 3 # 



